October 2018 Prayer Diary
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
The above phrase has become very important to the whole staff at Korus Connect since we started the VCAT journey, as God has prepared each and every one of us in meeting our every need, and as we draw on Him and each other's gifts and talents.
It is so important as Christians that we are united and are strengthened by our relationship with God and with each other. As Paul wants the Philippians to think the same and have the same mind (i.e. to have similar attitudes, concerns and intentions), we know that we too need to be unified in our purpose at this time. We all need each other and each of us needs to be thankful for the next person.
Philippians 2 is a continuation of Paul’s call for unity in the Philippian church and, in my opinion, is one of the warmest and friendliest of Paul’s letters in the Bible.
The Philippian Christians have indeed been encouraged by being in union with Christ, they have been comforted by His love, they do enjoy fellowship with the Holy Spirit, and they do experience tenderness and compassion—all because they belong to Jesus Christ; because they are in Christ.
Paul writes that we should have the same humble and selfless attitude as Jesus Christ. We have been adopted as children of God, heirs of an unfathomably glorious future. God wants His fullness displayed in us as it is for this that humankind was created.
In view of the incredible blessings that the Philippians have received in Christ, Paul urges them to be united in harmony. Paul calls for this unity in three ways: he wants the Philippians to have the same mind, the same love and to be joined together in one spirit.
Paul makes the clear connection between unity and union in Christ, with the unity and union of believers, which is possible because of our collective identity as being in Christ. Our prayer this month is that you will each stand firmly in unity with us as fellow members of Christ’s body.
Blessings,
Dawn Penney & the Korus Connect Team
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